Computer-aided accuracy enhancement for multi-axis CNC machine tool

Abstract A computer-aided error compensation scheme has been developed to enhance the accuracy of multi-axis CNC machine tools by compensating for machine geometric and thermal errors in software way. Stationary geometric errors including the coupling effect of linkage errors between machine slides are calibrated off line. Dynamic thermal errors are predicted on line by an artificial neural network model. Because machine errors are variant with the cutting time and slide positions, a PC based compensation controller has been developed to upgrade commercial CNC controllers for real-time error compensation. The real-time compensation capability is achieved by digital I/0 communication between the compensation controller and CNC controller without the need of any hardware modification to the machine servo-drive loops. The compensation scheme implemented on a horizontal machining center has been proven to improve the machine accuracy by one order of magnitude using a laser interferometer and cutting test.